Turkish costume for an egyptian performance?

lisamandin · 08-16-2007, 02:25 AM

So I have entered myself for the 2007 double crown belly dance competition and now I am considering costuming. By far, the best contender is a new, shiny turkish costume I just got from Dahlal (French Quarter).

One of the judgement categories is costuming and how well the costume goes with the music and everything. I am a pretty typical egyptian cabaret dancer, so this possibly creates a problem. However, Bellas are quite popular with professionals with similar style as myself nowadays and they are Turkish.

So, what do you all think? I am not sure how big a taboo it is, or if it if perfectly acceptable. Anyone's opinion (especially those who participate in these competitions) is welcome.

sabrinabellydancer · 08-16-2007, 03:35 AM

i think that will totally depend on the judges taste. i suggest finding out who the judges are and researching them a bit.

its absolutely gorgeous! and doesn't look like what we think of when we hear "turkish costume" either. it is exceptionally elegant. i personally think that particular one would work. but please get some other opinions as well.

good luck in the competition!

reyhan · 08-16-2007, 03:36 AM

Well, you consider your dance style as typical egyptian cabaret, so just trust your feeling for the costume. If you have the feeling it goes good with the music it should be ok. Nowadays the differences in fashion are not so much anymore and I have seen Bella costumes that look sort of Egyptian as well as I have seen some in Egypt that were even called "Turkish style".
Maybe ask the organizers what exactly they mean and if the costume has to have a passport?

lisamandin · 08-16-2007, 03:41 AM

Thank you! Good comments so far. . .

Lauren_ · 08-16-2007, 09:47 AM

How Egyptian is your style? Or maybe the better question is WHICH Egyptian is your style?

If your style is Americanized Egyptian (like Jillina, or Aziza) I think the Sim costume would be just fine.

If you're going for purity in a modern Cairo style, a Raqia/Dina/Randa style, then I'd stick with a modern, clean-lined costume.

If your piece is more golden era, you'd want something else altogether. Ditto if your style is more beledi. And so forth.

lisamandin · 08-16-2007, 12:04 PM

I am American-ish, definitely not a pure modern Cairo style. So maybe all will be ok.

Lauren_ · 08-16-2007, 12:26 PM

Then I think it's a great costume choice! It would only matter in my book if the 'Egyptian-ness' of your dancing was the point, know what I mean?

tamrahennatx · 08-16-2007, 12:36 PM

I would concentrate more on the style of the costume itself, not the country of origin. If you feel the costume flatters your style and is appropriate to the music you are using, then I think that counts more than whether the costume is from an Egyptian or Turkish design house.

Safiyah · 08-16-2007, 01:26 PM

I think you'll be ok.

And I'd love to see pics of that costume; I've had my eye on it for a while, lol!

ChristinaRizkallah · 08-16-2007, 02:27 PM

I would go ahead and wear the Turkish costume that you like. Like you said, you are American-ish in your Egyptian style. It really doesn't even matter. Many dancers in Europe wear Turkish costumes because of the proximity of Bella in Turkey to the rest of the European countries and these dancers do Egyptian style. I do know for sure that Sahra Saaedi in the USA does Egyptian style and she wears Turkish costumes (or at least she used to and has them in her wardrobe). In fact, I knew someone who was in her troupe who said that while she was in Egypt, she often wore costumes from Turkey.

bellydancerinfo · 08-21-2007, 10:26 AM

Let me just start by saying - I want that costume.

The shape of the belt is strait across= egyptian.

If the belt was V shaped, I would say the judges would have a problem with it.

Good luck!!!

aziza · 08-21-2007, 12:11 PM

I participated in this contest. I used Egyptian music and wore a Sim. As long as the costume is contemporary cabaret and suits the feeling of the music you should be fine.
Aziza

ruta21030 · 08-21-2007, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bellydancerinfo

Let me just start by saying - I want that costume.

The shape of the belt is strait across= egyptian.

If the belt was V shaped, I would say the judges would have a problem with it.

Good luck!!!

funny, i just saw 2 bedlahs imported from egypt that have the 'turkish' V, so it seems there's alot of cross-over with the designers.....sims looking like egyptian, and vice versa.......i agree, if it suits your style, figure and music, it should work out well